o/' Lycoperdon^ Phallus, and allied Genera. 159 



Phalloidei ; and the deliquescence of Cojjrini and other agarics 

 shows that the matter is not of very great importance. 



It is to be wished that some one favourably situated and 

 with more leisure than I have to devote to such researches 

 w^ould follow up the present observations in genera w^hich 

 have not been examined. When this is done the affinities of 

 the two groups we have been considering may perhaps be 

 satisfactorily explained. A previous problem however, and 

 unfortunately one of some difficulty, remains to be solved, 

 namely, the structure of Myxogastres in an early stage of 

 growth. At present I have not been able to ascertain this, 

 but the difficulties are perhaps not insuperable. It is probable 

 that Ptychogaster ^ Cord. Ic' 2. fig. 90 will prove the key to 

 the affinities of Trichogastres and Myxogastres. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE V. 



Fig. 1. Portion of fleshy mass oi Lye. ccelalum. 



2. Three sporophores with their spicules and spores. 



3. Do. showing their mode of attachment to the filaments of the trama. 



This however is not constant. 



4. Filament occasionally found amongst the sporophore. 



5. Sporophores seen from above with their four spicules. 



6. Abortive sporophores of the cavities of the stem or base of the fungus. 



These it is to be observed are much larger than those which are fertile. 



7. 8. Filaments which at length produce the sporophores in Lye. gigan- 



teum. 



9. Sporophores. In two the spicules are just developed. 



10, 11, 12. Do. in various stages of growth. 



13. Do. become flaccid. The portion examined was treated with iodine. 



14. Spores. 



15. 16, 17. Filaments which produce the sporophores in Bovista plumbea. 



In 17 there are no dissepiments. 



18. Sporophores not yet perfected. 



19. Young plant o{ Phallus caninus cut vertically. Nat. size. 



20. Filaments of which the jelly of the volva is composed. Occasionally 

 they contain as at (a) a row of globules, and some are terminated 

 with a globule as at {h). 



21. A vertical slice from the upex of the rudimental stem, showing the 

 manner in which its substance is continuous with the trama. 



22. A horizontal slice. 



23. A vertical slice from the outside of the pileus, 



24. 25. Sporophores with their spicules and spores. 

 26. A single spore. 



All the figures are more or less highly magnified with the exception of 19. 



